It can be difficult to tell the truth in church – or, to be honest, to religious people. We are just like non-church folks – believing in God is not a guarantee of perfect love. In fact, being religious often leads to bigger problems. So let’s be honest – we can be frustrating people to…

Advent is – visually – my favorite season at Calvary UCC in Reading. The candles, the colors, and the lights all help me to understand that the season that starts this Sunday is about preparing my spirit for the most special thing – for Christians – that ever was. We prepare for Christmas – we…

Billy Joel famously sang, “The good old days weren’t always good, and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.” Our recent presidential election was, in many ways, a challenge to America. It was a choice between the hope of going back to the “good old days” or maintaining the status quo. While Sec. Clinton won…

I admit it – I am disappointed with the results of this election. Not because I think Hillary Clinton would have been a great president – her flaws and sins are many and varied. It isn’t because a republican will be president – I think Clinton is more of a republican than Pres. Trump. Will…

I have a problem with Halloween – as a child, I remember how much fun it was – we might watch a scary movie like “Dracula” or “Frankenstein”. We would go out and knock on doors, collecting enough candy for the next 3 months, which my Mom doled out carefully. We took small boxes and…

https://www.facebook.com/AWMFaith/videos/1811883935757875/ This is the kind of nonsense that makes me crazy (as a Christian and an American). This video is offensive in a number of ways: 1 – The idea that we need to put Jesus back (because we have had a black, secret Muslim president for 8 years?) in the White House assumes that…

In 1995 I was serving as the part-time chaplain at Albright College, and was hired (at what was probably minimum wage) to be the Head Coach of the wrestling program. I was also the assistant coach, water boy, and everything else (except for the trainer – we had great student trainers!). The local paper caught…

I admit it – when it comes to how I dress, I tend to be pretty conservative. I think we should stay well covered up, and be especially concerned about how children are dressed. I come to this topic for a number of reasons. Reason 1 – I attended a wonderful concert last week –…

It happened again – somebody on Facebook who does not know what I do for a living apologized for using profanity. It isn’t that I mind the apology – I think it is very sweet that someone would be concerned enough about my delicate constitution to feel guilty about using bad language. But really, my…

I am sitting in my office at church preparing for another funeral. At this point in my life, I feel old every time someone asks me how long I have been in ministry (32 years!), and I think about the many touchpoints in people’s lives I have been involved in over the years – baptisms,…

What people say

Calvary is a warm embracing open and accepting community of fellow Christians that care deeply about one another and our world.

Art and Louise Grim

From the moment we entered Calvary, we were hooked. The warmth of the rich wooden pews and altar, the reflected beauty and light of the stained glass windows, and the beautiful music filled our hearts with a sense of welcome and comfort. This warmth was matched by the open and heartfelt reception by the congregation. God’s message of love and acceptance that is the cornerstone of this church completed the circle that has become our spiritual and physical haven. We have found a diverse and loving family at Calvary United Church of Christ. Russ & Carol Hummel

Russ and Carol Hummel

Barbara and I have lived in five metro areas in our 57 years of marriage, attending many different churches. Although we were very active in other churches, we always missed Calvary. After some less than satisfactory experiences with churches near our present home, we decided to visit Calvary in 2002, just to test our memories. One visit was more than enough. We instantly realized that we had that rare opportunity to return “home”. We immediately felt that old experience of a welcoming, open, warm congregation, an excellent Pastor and preacher, a great music ministry, a vibrant Christian education program, and a Christian fellowship beyond any other we had experienced.

Barbara sings in the choir, and I have been active in governance of the church and spend a lot of time with other members fixing and improving the physical facility. Although it is a 96 mile round trip, we are there several times each week because our lives are so enriched by the Christian fellowship of Calvary, our knowledge of God and Jesus so enhanced by Pastor Steve’s always challenging messages, and our Faith so much stronger that we just cannot stay away.

John and Barbara Master

When and Where is Worship

640 Centre Ave, Reading, PA 19610,

Phone: (610) 374-2109

Sunday Worship: Acoustic Worship with Holy Communion in the Chapel on Oley Street – 8:00am Multi-Traditional Worship at 9:30AM (Summer) / 10:30AM (After Labor Day through the Week before Memorial Day) in the Sanctuary at the Corner of Oley and Centre Ave